A major movie star is helping to design a new apartment tower in Toronto

Clearly unwilling to settle for a series of progressive leaps from stock photography to television screens and the silver screen to published author, locally raised film star Simu Liu is now making the leap into Toronto’s fast-paced world of developments and interior design.

After rising to prominence on the CBC sitcom Kim’s Convenience, Liu burst onto the global stage in 2021 with a starring role in the Marvel blockbuster. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

She’s hosted SNL and the Juno Awards, developed a devoted fan base in Canada and abroad, and now, like every Toronto success story, she wants to sell you some condos.

Simu Liu is partnering with Capital Developments and Reserve Properties on their new project 8 Elm on Yonge, set to rise 69 stories near the hustle and bustle of Dundas Square.

Liu is just the latest star to collaborate and lend his name to a condo project, following in the footsteps of other superstars to collaborate on the city’s developments, including Robert De Niro and Pharrell Williams.

A press release issued Tuesday morning states that “Liu lends his creativity to a team that includes architects IBI Group and interior design firm Cecconi Simone to deliver a building that blurs the lines between residential living and hospitality, creating a space that looks and feels like a five-star hotel.”

When pressed for details on Liu’s involvement, Carlo Timpano, President of Capital Developments, told blogTO that “Simu is part of the design team, helping to select the pallets and materials for the suites and providing feedback on the commons venues,” which will include approximately 26,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor amenity space.

“You’ll be able to see his influence very clearly in how vibrant the suites are – as details will roll out over the coming weeks. At Simu’s specific request, we’ll also be collaborating on a major charity initiative – details of which will be announced soon.”

Liu’s input will flow through award-winning interior design firm Cecconi Simone, the team behind many of the city’s most luxurious apartment lobbies and amenity spaces.

These “vertically stacked” spaces are set to include an outdoor terrace around the tower, indoor amenities such as a gym, games room, co-working space, a 56th-floor amenity area with stunning views known as the Sky Club and family-friendly spaces such as pet spa and children’s playroom.

In a prepared statement, Liu says he has “always believed that real estate developers have a responsibility to give back to the cities they build. Having lived in the same apartment on Bay Street for eight years, I know the importance of planning and optimizing every square meter of living space so that residents can feel happy and relaxed in their homes.”

“I am extremely excited to be working with Reserve Properties and Capital Developments on a landmark project that will create top-quality housing and amenities for residents, as well as a brand new community space in a historic location that will benefit all Torontonians,” says Liu.

Carlo Timpano says the new city-planned community space planned for the base of the tower — spanning more than 5,000 square feet — will be accompanied by “some exciting philanthropic initiatives” from the development team, a specific request of Liu’s , who seems excited to give back to the city that propelled him to mainstream success.

As part of a new push by the city to mandate affordable housing in major developments, the project touts its contribution of “several million dollars for affordable housing and other community initiatives in the local area.”